CLARE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

225 West Main Street

Harrison, Michigan 48625

Telephone: 989-539-6161              Fax: 989-539-7385

William J. Larson, P.E.M., Director

THE CLARE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, 911/EMD DIVISION IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE ACTIVATION OF THE COUNTY’S EARLY WARNING SIREN SYSTEM.  THIS SYSTEM HAS BEEN A COOPERATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE CITIES OF CLARE AND HARRISON, THE TOWNSHIPS OF HAMILTON, REDDING, FREEMAN, SURREY, LINCOLN, AND GRANT, THE USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE COUNTY OF CLARE.

SIRENS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AT LOCATIONS IN THESE AREAS.  CLARE COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH WILL HAVE PRIMARY CONTROL OVER THE SYSTEM, HOWEVER THE CLARE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE A BACK UP SYSTEM ALSO.  THE SIRENS CAN BE ACTIVATED FOR VARIOUS EMERGENCY PURPOSES. 

THE SYSTEM IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SYSTEM IN ISABELLA COUNTY.  FOR THAT REASON, THE SIREN SOUNDS WILL HAVE THE SAME PURPOSE IN BOTH COUNTIES.

For an audio clip of the siren select the tower for a 10 to 15 second clip.

FOR TORNADO WARNING, CHEMICAL SPILL WARNING, OR ANY OTHER WARNING WHERE THE POPULATION SHOULD TAKE SHELTER INSIDE, THE SIREN WILL BE A LONG BUILDING TONE THAT STAYS AT IT’S UPPER LIMIT FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.  

FOR AN ATTACK WARNING, THE SOUND WILL BE SIMILAR BUT WILL RISE AND FALL IN TONE THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE SIREN.  

AN ALL CLEAR SOUND WILL BE AN AIRHORN SOUNDING SHORT BLASTS.  

THE SIRENS WILL BE TESTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ISABELLA SYSTEM ON THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH, UNLESS THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF THREATENING WEATHER.  IN THAT CASE, THE TEST WILL NOT BE DONE ON THAT DAY. 

ANY OTHER TIME THE SIRENS ARE ACTIVATED, TUNE TO YOUR LOCAL NEWS OR NOAA RADIO FOR INFORMATION.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SYSTEM, PLEASE CONTACT SGT WILLIAM J. LARSON AT (989) 539-6161.

There are currently 8 sirens operational with one to be added in Redding Township.

The sirens are located in the following areas.